The average addict is not as easy to spot as popular media makes us believe. They are not the disheveled person who has let themselves go. They can look like just about anyone, and that is the main reason why most people don’t recognize that they might have a substance abuse problem. Addiction doesn’t discriminate and can attack just about anyone, no matter their background, race, or social class.
Addiction Across Gender Identities
Although there is the stereotype that men can hold their liquor better than women, that is no longer the case. Individuals assigned male at birth have higher rates of alcohol abuse disorder; the attendance rates of los angeles gay rehab centers have also gotten higher over the years. No gender identity is free from the risk of alcohol abuse.
There are some differences, however, in how alcohol affects men and women differently. There are differences in their gastric systems that absorb alcohol in different ways, leading to women becoming intoxicated much more quickly. Women with alcohol abuse disorder also tend to face higher death rates than men as a result of suicide, liver disease, and heart disease.
Addiction Across Races
One study has shown that across all Americans over the age of 12, 6.9% of African Americans, 7.7% of white Americans, and 7.1% of Latino Americans have a substance abuse disorder. This shows that there really isn’t that much difference across the races when it comes to alcohol addiction. Rates may vary between groups due to cultural factors, but the potential for anyone to become addicted is always there. For those who believe that they are immune to addiction because of their race, they are clearly overlooking evidence that demonstrates that anyone can become addicted.
Addiction Across Societal Lines
Wealthy people are just as likely as non-wealthy people to become addicted to drugs; wealthy people just have an easier time hiding their addiction from those around them so that no one is the wiser. Studies have shown that the higher an individual’s income is, the more alcohol they consume on a regular basis. It is also more likely for wealthy people to be what are called “functioning addicts,” where they can still perform at work while consuming large quantities of drugs and alcohol.
In fact, doctors and nurses have some of the highest rates of addiction in any profession out there. This is because they are under so much pressure during their jobs, that they seek alcohol or drugs to provide them with that release or escape from the stress.
The belief that you can recognize an addict or an alcoholic is entirely based upon the image that popular media has shown the world. These stereotypes are not helpful to anyone, since it allows some people to slip under the radar, believing that they are not addicts because they don’t fit the stereotype.
If you fear that you may be addicted to alcohol or drugs, speak to your medical healthcare professional immediately. They will be able to provide you with a proper diagnosis to determine what your next treatment step should be.